Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet has his heart set on staying in Europe, casting a shadow over recent reports of a potential move to Saudi Arabia.
Lenglet’s reluctance to venture across continents comes as his agent gears up for a crucial meeting with Barcelona officials, according to Gerard Romero.
The crux of the matter lies in the hefty salary Lenglet commands, which have posed a daunting financial challenge for Barcelona.
The Catalan giants are fervently working to find a solution. They want to offload the Frenchman and rebalance their financial books.
However, a permanent transfer has been an elusive dream. Lenglet’s wages and the club’s lofty transfer fee expectations have created a barrier.
Tottenham Hotspur tried to sign him permanently following his one-year loan spell in London last season but could not reach an agreement with Barca.
Barcelona could take inspiration from their previous move involving Samuel Umtiti, considering the option of contract termination to pave the way for Lenglet’s departure.
Recent speculation saw Lenglet’s name linked with Al-Nassr, where he would link up with Sadio Mane and Cristiano Ronaldo.
This prospect does not appeal to Lenglet, who wants to remain in Europe.
AC Milan and Juventus showed interest in signing him on loan. However, these deals do not interest Barcelona, who are looking for a permanent sale.
Lenglet’s impending decision holds implications not only for his career but also for Barcelona’s ambitions.
They need him off their books to register new signings, and that need could arise soon with the club in talks to sign Manchester City full-back Joao Cancelo.
The Portuguese international is their first choice target to reinforce their right-back position, and Barca are working hard to complete the deal.
